Alexander cleared his throat, forcing the smile from his lips.

He fixed his face into a stern mask.

His voice was low and controlled. "Evelyn, a few sweet words won't fix this."

Then, her next sentence froze him completely.

"Hey, you're gorgeous," she slurred, her eyes wide with curiosity. "What's your name?"

Alexander drew a sharp breath, fighting to maintain his composure.

The realization struck him like a physical blow. Evelyn had no idea who he was.

"Evelyn, repeat that," he demanded, his voice tight with strained calm.

She wasn't just drunk. She was looking at him like a total stranger.

He inhaled deeply, trying to ground himself, unaware she was about to shatter his control entirely.

Evelyn stared at him, her gaze full of open admiration.

"You're so handsome," she gushed. "Do you have a girlfriend? What about me? Want to go out sometime?"

That was it. Alexander's restraint shattered.

What if he hadn't been here? Would she be saying this to some other man?

His anger, simmering just beneath the surface, boiled over.

Oblivious, Evelyn giggled, her fingers clumsily tracing his jawline.

"You're adorable," she whispered. "I bet we'd have beautiful babies. A boy with your looks would be dangerous. A girl would be a total knockout, just like her daddy..."

Her rambling fueled his fury. A vein throbbed at his temple.

Finally, he'd had enough. He gritted his teeth, grabbed her, and crushed his lips to hers, silencing her utterly.

He only meant to stop the infuriating words.

But the second their lips met, his mind went blank.

The kiss took on a life of its own, spinning wildly out of his control.

He lost all sense of time until he felt her small fists pounding against his chest, struggling for air. He broke away, giving her just enough space.

Evelyn gasped, gulping in oxygen as if she'd been drowning. Her cheeks were flushed a deep crimson.

Her lips were swollen and glistening, a clear testament to their intensity.

His eyes darkened as he gently wiped the corner of her mouth with his thumb. She shoved him away with all her strength.

"Were you trying to kill me?" she choked out, turning to flee. Her legs buckled, and she nearly fell. Alexander caught her easily, sweeping her up into his arms.

"Legs not working?" he murmured, the taste of her still on his lips.

Instinctively, her arms wound around his neck. A shiver ran through her at the feel of his warm breath on her skin.

He carried her to the car and deposited her into the passenger seat without effort.

Once seated, clarity seemed to return to her. Regret washed over her face for succumbing to his allure.

"You villain!" she shouted, hitting the door. "Let me out! I'll call the police!"

Alexander raised an eyebrow, amused by her sudden show of righteousness.

"Evelyn, remind me," he said, a sly grin forming. "Who was just talking about having my children?"

He gently pinched her chin, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And now I'm the villain? Who is the real scoundrel here?"

Marrying A Secret Zillionaire: Happy Ever After